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The publisher sent me a copy to review on GemWise. So far I dislilke the glib, jaunty approach the author uses. That may work fine for short pieces but book-length it is a little annoying. Best,

All, Online: a video recording of a live reading by actor George Bergen, of chapter 7, The Pearl Diver, from my new historical novel set in the 17th Century gem trade: The French Blue. http://thefrenchblue.com/mt_ch7.htm Enjoy,

GemWise Blog: The major industry extravaganza known as The Tucson Gem Shows are just a couple of weeks away. This will be my 25th year and my wife Rebekah and I will spend a full two weeks at the shows. I predict that it will be all about price this year. The gem and jewelry industry is...

I am definitely going to make it to Strack's lecture this year.

All, You will find a video reading of The French Blue on the book's website. http://thefrenchblue.com/mt_intro.htm. The reader as actor George Bergen dressed in 17th Century costume as Jean Baptiste Tavernier. Happy holidays to all,

Allow me to share The French Blue's first "professional" literary review from the prestigious Midwest Book Review: 5 of 5 stars (Amazon) A fine piece of historical fiction, highly recommended, December 8, 2009 By Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) "Gems have always been items of great...

Judi, Thanks, I believe I can find that venue. Best,

Judi, LOL, Not sure, check AGTA website I think they have a list of seminars. Bring a sharpie. R.

GemGeek, You can hunt me down at AGTA. I will be giving a talk on The French Blue at a seminar on February 4th at 1:00pm. Also, at Tucson Gem & Mineral Show on Saturday the 13th at 11. Judi, Hope you enjoy the Kindle version, I love my Kindle, unfortunately can't sign it though.

Its been a long, long road. The first known account of pearl culturing in China dates to 1086 (Donkin 1998). In modern times, China has been producing commercial quantities of freshwater pearls since the 1970s. From the early 70s the best of the small production coming from a small number of...

Peter, Just noticed you friend request. Haven't been on the forum of late. Thanks, btw, for the nice review of The French Blue

Jeremy, I agree, Kunz & Stephenson's The Pearl is the classic work, but so much of it now is purely of historical interest.

Jeremy, Yes The Pearl, Kunz & Stephenson is not to be sneezed. Lots of interesting historical information about now defunct pearl areas.

Its too bad that the publisher is doing such a poor job of marketing Elisabeth Strack's book. It truly is the best thing since Donkin, Donkin, R. A.., Beyond Price; Pearls and Pearl-Fishing: Origins to the Age of Discoveries. American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia, 1998, 1st edition...

GemWise An Extraordinary Strand of Natural Pearls: I spotted a magnificent strand of natural pearls from a dealer at AGTA. What makes this two strand exceptional is its symmetry. When considering natural pearls it is necessary to bracket all that you have come to expect from their cultured...

The Pearl Meister: A visit to Pacific Pearls (Pueblo Tent) is rarely a disappointment. Proprietor Fuji Voll literally grew up in the gem trade. His German father, who just turned 97, moved the family to Japan just prior to World War II and as his name suggests, Fuji is himself a delightful...

Hello, Sarah, Just spoke with Fuji, he mentioned you were on the forum. Richard

Jeremy, Good piece. Lets try and meet up in Tucson. Are you coming, available for dinner? We will be there from 1/31-2/12.

Caitlin, Thanks for the heads-up, see you at the seminar. Best,

GemWise: The Consumer Zeitgeist; Doing Penance: "Sinful!!, now there's a word rarely applied to consumer spending, but in this economy it seems apt. The consumer zeitgeist has done a flip-flop. Several of my Christmas regulars told me that spending money on high ticket items in this economy...